Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-07-21
CONFIDENCE MEN.
big Burns and Jack Mcdonald
I'm the Tolls.

- -
i'm the Tolls.
For several months past the shell
game operators and the confidence
men having been reaping harvest
at Santa Monica, and complaints from
people who have been innocent
enough to fall into the hands of these
sharpers have been of very frequent
occurrence. The representatives Of
the law at Santa Monica have not
been as anxious as they might have
been to suppress these gamblers in
their nefarious practices and in con-
sequence the thimble-workers have
gone on until the reputation OF Santa
Monica bid fair to be ruined. About
July LIST Sheriff Kays enlisted the aid
of Emil Harris, the detective, who
went to the haunt of these
sharpers and his visit has resulted
in the arrest of Big Burns
and Jack Mcdonald, both noted GRIM
inals here and elsewhere. On Tuesday
this pair were arrested on the charge
of obtaining money by tricks and de-
vices and were taken before Justice
Taney, who fixed their bail at $500
each. This was not all that was in
store for these individuals, for the
Grand Jury had been working on the
matter in relation to their former ex-
aminations, in which the Grand Jury
says they committed perjury. As soon
as the indictments were placed in the
hands of the Sheriff, Under-Sheriff
White of Texas was commissioned to
arrest Burns and Mcdonald. He
found them and placed them under
arrest. Their bail was fixed at $4,000
each, which they succeeded in fur
nishing towards evening. In connec-
ton with this case was also that of L..
G.. Rich, who was also brought to time
through the efforts of Mr.. Harris
and Under-Sheriff Mitchell. 1t ap-
pears that on the 18th instant the
sharpers roped one Charles Dewitt into
"brace" faro game at Santa Monica,
and after winning $25 in coin which
he had in his pocket, induced him to
stake checks filled out for $50, 800
and $3.50. These checks they after
wards induced him to exchange for
one of $500, and on the 10Th word was
received that the sharpers would pre-
sent the check at the Los Angeles Ma
tional Bank. Arrangements were
made at the bank so that the Sheriff.
office should be notified the moment
the check was presented. According
to agreement Under Sheriff Mitchell
was notified, and placing himself in
side of the bank, arrested A. Gentry
just as he presented the check. Emil
Harris, who was outside, arrested L..
C. Rich, and it being found that Gen.
try was no party to the "brace" game,
he was released, but Rich was held in
$500 bail by Justice Austin.
The reputation of Big Burns is quite
wide. He was an inmate of the State
prison of Illinois at Joliet from May
26, 1870, until March 4, 1874, having
been sentenced for 10 years for rob-
berry. He was pardoned before his
term had been finished and was
turned at large to prey upon the inno-
cents. Jack Mcdonald has about as
savory a record, and was a pardner of
the well-known Jack Dowd, the con-
fidence man and bunko steerer. He
served term in the State prison of
Oregon at Salem, Oregon, and has
been detected on numerous occasions
in the commission of sharp practices.
AS long as there are innOcents these
creatures will thrive in any community
where they are permitted to live.